To Where You Are

by Josh Groban

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear

Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for a while to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above

And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

mYoga stays open!

I attended CM’s Hatha class last night, realizing I could do more things than I could dare to imagine.  Again, I managed to lie flat on the floor with opened legs, and I could lift my body, balancing on only my arms!  Although it was only for a few seconds, but that was a big achievement!

Towards the end of class, I almost cried – I know I’m gonna miss the class so much after mYoga closes.  I was so touched because I have been doing yoga for two years not realizing what I could really do.  In just three classes I explored my abilities and realized I can actually do more than I dare think possible!  I prayed hard I can still go for more of her classes so I can see what I’m really capable of doing.

And my prayers were answered!

Received a text message from a friend saying the club isn’t closing afterall.  They got a last minute buyer and it’s gonna be business as usual.  What a thrill!  Thanks, God, and thanks everybody who’s made this happen.

Then I started to remember the sadness I felt during the past few days – that is all garbage now; a distant memory…

All that matters is I’ll still be going for yoga classes!

 

Fireworks! Yeay!

This has gotta be one of the best birthdays ever! With the CNY celebration, there are fireworks everywhere! What better way to spend the eve of your birthday than this?

Oh, how I wish I can have my birthday in the first week if CNY every year!

mYoga is closing!

Yep, you read right.

Can't believe what you read? Let me repeat for you : mYoga is closing! For good!

Still don't believe? Read it at their website (http://malaysia.myogaonline.com/).

I'm shocked to hear it, and there are so many things on my minds. Things that I think should come out. But before I start, let me just get a shut eye - it's already past midnight and I gotta tomorrow. I mean, in a few hours time.

Just To Hear...

JUST TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME

Faith Hill (feat. Tim McGraw)

If I could win your heart

If you'd let me in your heart

I'd be so happy, baby

Just for these arms to be

Holding you close to me

There's nothing in this world I won't try

No limit to what I'd do to make you mine, 'cause

I'd climb right up to the sky

I'd take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

If I could taste your kiss

There'd be no sweeter gift

Heaven could offer baby

Oh, baby

I want to be the one

I want to be the one

Living to give you love

I'd walk across this world just to be

Close to you 'cause I want you close to me, yeah

I'd climb right up to the sky

I'd take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

For the rest of your life

For the rest of your life

Love me for the rest of all time

Oh baby, baby

Just say the word

And I'll give you my world

There's nothing I won't do

Baby, just to be with you

I'd climb right up to the sky

I'd take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me, baby

Just to hear you say that you love me

Oh, I need to hear you say that you love me, baby

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just say you love me

Just say you need me

Just to hear you say that you love me

Image courtesy http://chaishinni.blogspot.com/

An Impromptu Note

Guess what I just saw a couple of minutes ago?

Two women sitting next to each other, in heated conversations, only not with each other!

I went to have a sip at the water cooler, and saw the two women at a nearby bench.  They were talking in 'high spirits', like my teacher used to say.  I didn't mean to eavesdrop in their conversation, but their voices were so loud that I was 'forced' into listening.  But I never got to understand what they were talking about since they were talking in Chinese - so it's technically not eavesdropping, right?  Phew...

I decided to just watch them.  Afterall, the speaker's body language is for most times a lot more interesting than the conversation itself.  That was when I noticed something was wrong - that those two were not looking at each other.  Then I started to notice the tiny earpieces.  Ooohhh... they were talking on their phones!  I almost burst out laughing at that point, thinking how ridiculous it would be if I was to actually listen and understand their conversation!

The funny thing is how they managed to get their conversations so much in synch with each other's - that one would speak immediately after the other, even though they were talking to completely different people!  How marvelous is this thing called 'coincidence'. *grin*

Note to self: 

Don't talk loudly on the phone, especially if you have your Bluetooth set on.  Although people would be so used to this thingy that they won't bother, but they might make themselves ridiculous by trying to listen to you -- especially if there's someone else talking on her Bluetooth right next to you!

Thank you, Teacher!

I promised my Cha Cha instructor that I'd honour him in my blog, and announce that he's my first latin dance instructor.  So here goes...

My Cha Cha instructor is Mr Ryu.

Was that good enough?  Nope.  He deserves more honour than this, and I mean it in my heart.

You see, I started taking Cha Cha in November or December and during the first few weeks I stumbled a lot.  I hardly remember the steps, and I had the tendency to knock my neighbours.  So naturally I wasn't the most well-liked person.  Not that I care.  I was more concerned about not remembering the steps.

A couple of months later, I have improved.  Not I-can-enroll-in-competition improved, but I'm now able to remember most of the steps.  And when the instructor mentions a name, I would know which steps he's talking about.  And I've gotten used to my heels, I think.  Although my 'poses' are still belly-dance like, I think I'm blending in with the Cha Cha hand and hip gestures (need to work on my New York hand, though).

The instructor calls out my name less now, that's gotta be a good sign, right?  He used to always say, "Hani wrong turn, Hani wrong leg, Hani this, Hani that... Hani, Hani, Hani...".  Oh, dear.  Actually, I quite liked that -- means he pays attention to his students.  And he really wanted me to improve.  But what got me was when one of the students scowled at me when I got called out.  I wasn't sure because she was upset that the synch was not perfect or because she was sick to hear my name!  Again, I didn't care and I still don't care.

Ok, before I start with a different story, let me just finish this one.

This Mr Ryu has been very patient with my 'disabilities' and has never discouraged me.  Once, I almost burst into tears because the routine was very complicated -- we did a lot of turnings and it felt like you have to do different technique for each turn.  I apologized to him and all he said was, "It's ok, you're still learning".  That's what got me into tears.  Well, almost.  (Could be the hormones...)

Last weekend, we did this routine non-stop for at least 15 minutes.  I got most of it -- stilll stumbled a bit here and there, but I could quickly pick up and continue.  Man, that was a personal achievement!

So thank you very much Ryu, for your patience and for believing that I can actually Cha Cha.  And like I said, I might go away to learn with other teachers but you're my first latin dance teacher!  Also, I'm still gonna get you one black sock!

Exercise + Stress = Lower BP!

If your GP has been telling to start living a more healthier lifestyle because it can help lower your blood pressure, then you should.  I haven't been told this because I have low blood pressure -- although you might think I have high BP if you see me physically.

For the past couple of months I have been doing a lot of physical work, dancing being the major part of it and lifting things for our office relocation project.  I have been feeling a little giddy when I jump around a lot since three weeks ago, but this morning I almost collapsed while queuing up to pay my phone bill.  So I decided to have my BP checked.  I thought my usual 110/80 BP would go lower to 100/80 or so, but imagine my surprise when the GP told me it's gone to 90/75!

So now I'm officially on low BP med, hopefully for only a few days.  I was asked to rest for a couple of days -- lay off dancing and yoga for a bit.  I thought that should be fine, I could use the break to clean up my place or catch up on some books.  But as I left the clinic I realized I have a table tennis tournament this evening, and I'm the only rep for my department! 

I guess rest will have to wait another day...

Re-Yoga

I have been dancing a lot lately, a little too much, that I neglect my yoga practice. I used to do yoga at least 12 hours a week, but that has been reduced to a pathetic 3 hours. And, out of these, 2 hours is actually Body Balance. That means only 1 hour devoted to yoga entirely. All because of the excitement I get from dancing!

Last night, after my thigh-torturing yoga class, a friend invited me to join 'Hip Hop'. Thanks to the Street Jazz and Hip Hop intro on Saturday, I decided to try – only to confirm that this genre is not for me. In my frustration, I didn't realize that I agreed to join my friend to another yoga class.  The instructor is a nice lady with killer yoga move!  I joined her class before, and I would get out of her class trembling most of the time.  She pushes you out if your comfort zone, with no chance to cheat.  So your muscles and joints really work the way they should.  That’s actually a good thing – you can improve quickly with less risk of injury, but for a slacker like me… oh well…

So I joined that yoga class last night, and I’m glad I did!  It has been so long since I achieved anything, but I managed to get into 2 poses!  I have always wanted to do the Camel pose – where you kneel and reach for your heels, which are waaaaayyyyy at the back.  I have always cheated by putting my palms on my heels first, and then push myself upwards.  The end result is the same, but I always felt this pinching on my back afterwards.  Last night, I got to learn the correct technique, and voila, I managed to reach for my heels without cheating!  Most importantly, no lower back pain - weeeheee!  I was still excited from the achievement when the instructor asked us to do the Open-Legged Forward Fold.  I did, but could only lower my torso halfway towards the floor.  I was fine with that, since that’s how low I always go.  But apparently the instructor thought I could do better so she helped to adjust my legs and spine alignment.  Before I even realized what she was doing, I felt the floor on my chest and cheek!  Okay, it’s actually the other way around, but you get the point.  Point is I got down so low!  So another yeay!

I wonder now, what else I can achieve that I thought I could never do?

Outrageous!

Last weekend was a long one, well-spent.

Friday

Started with a personal leave on Friday, although I still had to drop by the office for a 'briefing' to one of my subordinates.  After that heated meeting (which I managed to record in my previous post), I went straight to a belly dance class.  The instructor decided to do a 'funky twist to belly dance' which is a series of complicated moves.  Well, the moves were not really complicated on its own, but the combination of them are.  We had to jump to the right and turn to the left.  Condiering all of us were novice, we ended up looking like a bunch of octopi!  Completely beserk hand-leg coordination, turning to the left when we were supposed to turn to the right, jumping while doing hip shimmies... everything crazy you can think of!  If you were a professional dance judge, you'd have gone mad, but we had fun laughing at our silly moves.  Even the instructor got distracted and turned 'octopus'.  So that Friday afternoon, I sweat more that I normally do after belly dance - thanks to the laugh!

Salsa classes Friday night was a mixture of boredom and excitement.  There were new faces in the Beginner class, so we did quite a lot of basic steps.  Halfway through class I yawned!  And since I stood right next to the instructor, obviously she noticed.  Good thing, because she started doing some more advanced steps from then on.  Salsa Footworks class was waaaaaayyyyy much better than the Beginners class.  A lot of complicated steps, although no 'Crazy Suzie' (Suzie Q Loco) - phew!  There was this guy in class, who told me he's trying to experiment combining Salsa and Tai Chi.  Something he'd call 'Sal Chi'.  Whatever that is.  The whole time he was talking about his plan, I couldn't stop trying to figure out how those two contrasting things can be combined.  Oh well, I'll let him do the thinking, and see his demo soon - if ever.  No offense, but I really can't picture it.  But don't worry, I'll still try your 'Sal Chi' class.  And, I'm sure a lot of other people would love to try it out. 

Saturday

Saturday morning, I was awaken by a text from my bestie.  We planned to get her dancing shoes in the morning before heading off to a dance event in KL.  But she couldn't make it too early, so we cancelled shoe-shopping.  I picked her up around 11.30 am (after another friend arrived at my place), and we went straight to find OCM Building in Jalan Hang Jebat.  With my ability to get lost, I was sure we'd be late for the event.  But, so some funny reason, that fortunate morning, we managed to find the place in just one try!  We got to the place 5 minutes before they were supposed to start, which in Malaysian timing is about 45 minutes too early! 

The event started around 12.45pm with a promo presentation of Dance Cruise Asia 2010, a China - Japan - Korea cruise package, with dance workshops and performances.  I didn't go there for the cruise, so I don't quite get the cruise part.  If you're interested, take a look at this page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28412842566#!/group.php?gid=28412842566.

Soon after the presentation ended, they started Tango workshop.  It sounded like fun but I couldn't make it - stupidly left my shoes in the car, so I had to go get them.  I made it for the demo from the instructors, though, and it was awesome!  Something like what I saw in Antonio Banderas' Take the Lead, only live!  Next was Bachata workshop - did solo basic steps first before we started dancing with a partner.  Since I came with two friends, we took turns to dance with each other.  It was really, really fun.  And quite easy.  Or so I thought, until I saw the instructors' demo at the end of the session.  They did a lot of 'climbing-up-your-partner' and 'yoga-wheel-pose'.  I wanted to sign up for Bachata class at first, but decided that I should wait a little longer after the performance.

After Bachata was Salsa.  Two workshops actually, the first one being partner Salsa and the second was individual.  I already learnt the basic steps so these was quite easy.  Well, easy when they played the slow song that is.  Once they started playing VERY FAST song, I got lost!  So I just stood there laughing at myself, while the more experienced dancers looked at me like I'm some kind of nuts!  Haha.

There were a few more workshops that afternoon - Street Jazz (love this!), Hip Hop (not as easy as I thought), West Coast Swing, Rumba and Waltz.  Each of these workshops was conducted by different instructors from different school, so we got to experience different techniques and styles.  Most I enjoyed, some funny, but there were also strict ones.

The instructors demo-ed their dancing skills in between each workshop, and there were two performance sessions from the best students of each school.  These were the best parts of the event, I tell you!  They even invited the winner of Malaysia's So You Think You Can Dance.  And we got to see them upclose and LIVE!  I really can't describe how excited I was -- just like during Herbalife's Singing Competition in Singapore a couple of years ago!  Only I didn't do a Bangra on the chairs this time!  Haha!

The event ended around 7.30pm with a demo from the Waltz instructor with his male student.  Sounds so 'happy' isn't it?  Well, it was quite like that, really.  Haha!  At least I thought they looked like two gays in love... but the dance was really beautiful.  And there was a time when the instructor (he played the lady) lift his leg and attempted to bend backwards... that's hilarious! 

We had dinner in Tropicana City Mall - somewhere waaayyyy out of the usual route.  Tried some food at this outlet called Indulge, I think.  I'm not sure if hunger plays any part in this, but all three of us agreed that the food there was delicious!  Right down to the creme brulee, and fried ice-cream!  Yummy!

Sunday

After the exciting Saturday, Sunday felt like a very predictable routine.  Although, not the whole day was boring.  Went to Zumba - almost collapsed because I didn't have enough sleep the night before, then rushed for a quick lunch before Cha Cha.

My Cha Cha instructor, for some reason, decided to teach us the technique instead of his usual choreography last weekend.  So we did a lot of basic front Cha Cha, back Cha Cha, turn, backlogs... a much welcomed change, considering what almost happened in Zumba.  That, however, was far from boring.  Wait, how should I put it... it was really, really, I mean REALLY basic, but the instructor made us repeat a series of the basic steps half the time - non stop!  I liked that, suprisingly.  I could have sworn if someone tell me they did this in class, I'd die of boredom!  But, well, that was that.  An interesting basic Cha Cha class.  Ironic!

After class I got to ask him why the sudden change, and he shared some insights.  A deep heart-felt insight, which made me see a different person in him.  Which made me appreciate his teaching more.  The timing was really perfect, considering the exposure I had the day before - seeing high- and old-timers do the Latin dance, and to learn what importance the dance is to them.  I get goosebumps writing this - emotion overflow!

I shared this with a friend over dipper (dinner+supper), but being a lousy storyteller as I am, I couldn't reach her enough.  And thanks to the mist spray, we almost choked in wet air!  Imagine, it was almost midnight and they turned on the mist!  Let me correct, it was almost midnight, and they turned the mist full blast!  I couldn't see my friend for a good 5 minutes, and after the mist finally wore off, our table, clothes, hair and food were wet!  Yuck!

Monday

Last Monday must be the craziest day in my life!  Woke up almost noon - caught up with the deprived sleep hours from previous days, and decided to look for a new dancing shoes.  All because I dreamt that I got pretty black dancing shoes.  So I called up my best friend, the one who wanted to get shoes on Saturday and in less than a hour we were out shoe-hunting.

Went to a couple of dancing shoes shops but she couldn't find the ones she likes.  At almost 4pm we went to a shop in Petaling Street.  I got hooked on a pair of boots - really comfy!  Then I saw the latin dance shoes and decided that the boots could wait.  The shop only take cash, so we had to walk a few blocks to get to the nearest ATM.  After RM 200 short later, we realized at was already almost 5pm.  We planned to join Zumba at 5.15pm, so we raaaaaaaannnnn all the way to the car.

Considering how little time we had, I decided to change in the car.  Yep, I changed from shopping clothes into gym clothes in the car!  But no strip show, though - what were you thinking, you pervert?  Of course I got creative, well, I had to, because we took the Brickfields route - which was packed, as always.  Jumped into the driver's seat at a erd light, so my friend could change.  We were laughing all the way!  We've been friends half our lifetime, and never in our lives had thought of doing anything that silly!  Ahem, let me re-phrase - anything that adventurous!  ROFL!  The express changing-in-car activity paid off as we managed to get in Zumba class on time.  What a relief - phew!

After all the activities, you'd think I'd be running out of energy by end of Monday.  You were right.  I went home early and went straight to bed, only to curse my alarm clock the next morning - I wasn't ready to go to work!  I wanted more thrilling activities, not the mundane office-work life which is my routine - Dang!

That was what I thought on Tuesday morning, mostly true for the entire morning.  What's not true happened as soon as I finished lunch, and thankfully 'til late lst night...

Let me write about it in my next post - time to get off work and do more crazy stuff!